When it comes to employment as a Bodyguard, the most frequently asked question is “How much can I make?” Well, let me offer you some advice but, please note there are no hard and fast rules. This is based on my 20+ years of EP work and a survey of the current rates from colleagues and EP training instructors. Towards the end of this chapter, you will see a table with specific job skills, detail expectations and pay rates (2004). Also included is a breakdown of information regarding different cities.
The rates associated with bodyguard/executive protection work vary widely, depending upon a myriad of important factors:
* The Economy
* Prior Experience, Skills & Training
* Client Profile (Celebrity vs. Dignitary vs. Corporate)
* Level of Risk/Danger
* Political Climate
* Amount of Travel Required
* Locale & Circumstances of the Detail
* Range of Duties for the Position
First of all, there are no set fees for bodyguard employment. All fees are arranged by negotiating with the client. Obviously, the more skills you have, the more experience, the more training–the more you can earn. A highly trained, extremely seasoned bodyguard with a substantial work history may earn $100,000 per year plus bonuses, but these are often positions with distinct requirements and skill specifications, and the work may be located half-way around the world. It can also mean working in some of the most dangerous regions on the planet.